“A” is for abstract art, architecture, and apples!

We introduced our first Zoo Phonics character, Ally Alligator. Each alphabet animal will demonstrate the letter sound and the American Sign Language for that animal.

To open our study of architecture we read Iggy Peck Architect by Andrea Beaty. Ask your child what Iggy used to build a stinky tower when he was two years old! We explored architecture through an adventure downtown to look for different styles of architecture, and to visit P.E.A.R.L. off the City Green. P.E.A.R.L. was designed by architect Michael Moore who is one of the Tres Birds designers for the Art Preserve of the John Michael Kohler Arts Center. We reserved the City Green on Mondays for games on the Green and yoga and performing on the stage.

The children drew plans by using triangles and tools to design their own building. There were airports and schools and libraries, and even a boat. Black shapes including rectangles, triangles, and squares took the form of abstract buildings at the easels. Look for different types and elements of architecture in your neighborhood.

Visiting an Installation Sculpture Downtown

We used our senses of touch and smell as we snipped herbs and created herb assemblages. Try using different herbs on your child’s food for added flavor and sensory experience. The Café has been providing delicious snacks and tying them in to our areas of study. We are encouraging bravery on using our sense of taste!

We looked at samples of abstract art and tried some tape resist painting to create abstract designs both on fabric and paper. It is so fun to peel off the tape after painting! Some of us played catch with the big tape ball.

Our gallery adventures took us in to see the work of John Preus in the Atrium and Main Gallery. His architectural step sculptures inspired conversations about texture and materials. We compared the step sculptures with one another to our steps at home. We talk a lot about what is the same and what is different. Learning to compare and contrast is a valuable tool for young learners.

This week, we introduced counting collections. Each week the children will have their own jar of ten objects and will learn techniques for counting, sorting, adding, subtracting, patterning, and more. Help your child to make a counting collection to use at home. Example: 10 matchbox cars, 10 acorns or pebbles, 10 hair bows, etc.

Next week we bond with the letter “B” as we balance and bounce between bountiful “B” art and movement activities, literacy, math, music, yoga, nature, Spanish, and American Sign Language!